Photographic developing apparatus with easily accessible tanks and conveyers



.Fuiy 12 1949. A. BRIECHLE 2,475,658

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND CONVEYERS Filed Aug. 18, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet l July 12, 1949. A. BRIECHLE PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND CONVEYERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 18, 1944 M .5 rd H hmw m TR N N R w m m A m S M A Y B i M ||i mw wx g July 12, 1949. A. BRIECHLE ,4

. PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND CONVEYERS Filed Aug. 18,1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 /28 2/64 /27-- K/ W]: 7 it #it INVENTOR ANBIPOS/ J BR/EC/flf July 12,1949. A. BRIECHLE' 2,475,658 PHOTOGRAPH IC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH 7 EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND GONVEYERS Filed Aug. 18, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 "1-- -r-" l i ..-4 JL A. BRIECHLE PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND CONVEYERS Jul 12, 1949.

. 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filsd Aug. 18, 1944 INVENTOR BR/ECHLE y A. BRIECHLE PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND CONVEYERS '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 18, 1944 ATTORNEY V Patented July 12, 1949 PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS WITH EASILY CONVEYERS ACCESSIBLE TANKS AND Ambrosius Briechle, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 18, 1944, Serial No. 550,043

Claims.

This invention relates to photographic developing apparatus particularly designed to develop, fix, wash and dry photo-sensitized. sheet material.

The invention provides a photographic developing apparatus that obtains greater efficiency from the photographic chemicals used in developing and fixing sensitized sheet material, materially increases the productive capacity of developing apparatus in providing completely and uniformly developed and dried photographic prints to obtain a uniform quality in the prints at lower cost.

The invention comprehends the provision of photographic developing apparatus having a plurality of baths for the treatment of photo-sen sitized sheet material in which a plurality of tanks for containing the baths are mounted on a supporting frame in cooperation with a suitable feeding device for feeding photo-sensitized sheets through the baths in the tanks and provide for the removal of one or more tanks for cleaning, washing, repair and replacement without requiring the removal of any part of the mechanism for feeding sheets or the supporting frame structure prior to the removal of a tank. Any one or more of the tanks may be independently removed by being dropped down below the sheet feeding mechanism and thereafter removed from the machine in a convenient manner. Each tank is individually detachable from the machine independent of the others without rendering the machine inoperative with respect to the other tanks.

The invention provides for obtaining greater efiiciency in the use of the developing and fixing chemicals through provision of supply tanks conneoted with the respective developing and fixing treatment tanks and a mechanism for continuously circulating the chemicals through the respective tanks, with the provision of nozzles in the treatment tanks for obtaining circulation of the chemicals in the tanks to keep them thoroughly mixed and active on the photo-sensiti e coatings of sheet material fed through the tanks. By providing supply tanks of sufficient size the invention contemplates reduction in operation cost through securing continued operation. of the machine in developing prints by eliminating frequent changes and utilizing a greater percentage of the strength of the chemical solutions for both developing and fixing.

The invention provides for mounting the developing tanks for easy removal by having the tanks detachably connected to the frame of the developing apparatus so that they may be lowered from the frame portions on which they are mounted into positions out of engagement with the feed mechanism of the apparatus. The tanks are provided with drain and fluid level control means secured to the tank structure in a manner that provides for the convenient removal of the tanks from the apparatus with the drain and fluid level control structure.

The invention comprehends the provision of a feed casing for receiving the material to be developed in light-tight relation so arranged that the sheet material may be fed successively from the easing into the developing and fixing baths carried in separate tanks mounted on the frame. The feed casing and tanks are formed to provide an entrance and exit to the feed casing and the developing and fixing baths from which light is excluded. The entrance and exit are both formed to provide a light-trap and a passage for endless conveyor members used to convey sheet material from the feed casing through the baths with subsequent delivery of the sheet material from the apparatus outside of the light-tight portion thereof and the return of the endless members into the feed casing through the entrance.

The invention provides for obtaining agitation of the liquid in the several treatment tanks by having discharge nozzles extending downwardly in one side of the tanks provided with a plurality of discharge openings for directing liquid from said nozzles in substantially horizontal transverse relation throughout the treatment tanks for continuousl mixing the liquid in the tanks and circulating it about the sheet material being fed therethrough for treatment.

The invention provides for the mounting of the treatment tanks and supporting and guide mechanism for the feed means on a frame structure in such a manner that the supporting and guide units for the feed means will project into the tanks for feeding and guiding the feed means and material to be treated through the liquid in the tanks, so the tanks may be removed from the frame structure without disturbing the mounting of the guide units and feed means on the frame, and also provide for the removal of the guide unit from the frame without interfering with the mounting of the tanks thereon.

The invention provides for the use of endless lineally movable feed members for conveying sheet material to be treated through the treatment tanks from a feed casing and subsequent feeding by the same endless members over a drying mechanism for producing completely developed and dried photographic prints with the endless members continuously movable through showing the frame structure for the apparatus in side elevation carrying the feed casing, treating tanks and drying mechanisn r andith'e supply tanks, controlling means, pipe conn'ections and the like for circulating liquid in the tanks.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the frame structure carrying the feed casing; treating tanks; drying mechanism and the like in greater detail, looking at the opposite side of the frame from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a rear elevation of the apparatus with portions of the casing housing the electrimmotor drive broken away .to illustrate details of construction of the drive.

Fig. 5 is an enlargeddetail cross-section show ingthestructu're of the feed casing with portions broken away and shown in section to illustrate the details of construct-i'on,=taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on line '66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal cross-section through awash tank showing the details of construction on an'enlarged scale with fragmentary portions of the associated frame' structure and the feedingand guiding mechanism for sheet material.

Fig. 8 is a" vertical transverse cross-section taken'on' line 88 ofFlgfl.

Fig. 9"is" an enlarged' detail transverse fragmentary cross section showing a portion of a horizontal' 'bar' of" the frame and the means for mounting and holding a treatment tank in suspended relation.

Fig. 10 shows'an enlargeddetail"elevation of a sheet feed bar'andits'mounting on the endless feed'members.

Fig.1]. is a detailhross-sectiontaken on line II-II ofFi '10..

Fig.'12 is a'view'similartoFigrlfl with portions broken away and shown in section illustrating a modifiedform of feed bar.

Fig." 13 is a cross-sectioni'taken'online I 3'I 3 of Fig. 12.

Asupportingframe-has corner posts I extending in upright rela'tio'n'and connected at the upper an'd'lower ends by'top' 'an'dbottom'side 'bars 2 and across'the" end'by bottorri end bars 3." A pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars 4 are securedat' opposite""ends*to corner posts I at anintennediateposition between top and bottom side bars 2, as clearly shown" in Fig. 2. Supporting bars 4 are'of channel shape in cross-section and are mountedin' the supporting fraine withthe flanges extending'outwa'rdly atop'posite sides of the frame in horizontal relation; as clearly shown 4 structed in a similar manner, has a uniform transverse dimension, a uniform vertical dimension with the bottom of each tank lying in the same horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 2, and has a different length longitudinally of the frame. Each tank is open-at the upper end. When the tanks are suspended from bars 4 the side walls of each tank are in aligned relation with the inner faces of bars 4 as shown in Fig. 8, and marginal flanges II extending laterally from the upper edges of each tank are engaged at the sides of the apparatus in superimposed relation against the under faces of the lower flanges of supporting bars 4 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. U-shaped clamps I I embrace the lower flanges of horizontal supporting bars 4 and flanges ID of the several tank for rigidly securing the tanks in suspended position from the lower faces of bars 4 in the manner shown in Figs. 2, 8 and 9. A plurality of U- shaped clamps I I are used for individually securing each of the tanks 6 to-9 inclusive in suspended relation from bars 4.

Each tank has a drain pipe coupling I2 formed on the bottom to which drain pipe I3 is attached and extended to one side of each tank below the bottom where it carries a T-shaped coupling I4. 1 An inverted U-shaped liquid level control'and overflow pipe I5 hasv one leg connected to T-shaped coupling I4 with the top portionconnecting the two legs thereof arranged at a position beside one side wall of the tank where it will have a position for determining and limiting the level of liquid in the tank controlled thereby and provide for the overflow of liquid forced into a tank in excess of the amount pro- Videdto maintain the level therein. Tanks 6, I and 8 eachhave a single U-shaped overflow pipe I5 connected therewith while'washing tank 9 having a much greater length than the other tanks is provided with five compartments, as shown in Fig. 7. andprovided with five drain connections and overflow pipes so arranged that one is provided for draining each section. The lower end of each T-shaped coupling I4 is provided with a valve controlled drain pipe outlet l6 operable when the valve is opened to drain the contents of the tank controlled thereby. The other leg of the inverted U-shaped overflow pipe I5 for each ,of the washing tanks I and 9 respectively has the lower end open for discharging overflow into drain trough II. Drain pipe outlet I6 also drains into drain trough H, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

Drain trough I"! is provided with a waste pipe connection I8 used for connecting the drain trough with a suitablesewer or other waste disposal system. The other leg of the overflow pipe l5 connected with tanks 6 and 8 is used to return the fluid from each of the tanks to a supply tank through a flexible return pipe in a manner that will be hereinafter described. Drain trough I1 is detachably mounted between uprights I at the left-hand side of the machine as shown in Fig. 1 through the use of suitable brackets.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, two supply tanks are shown, one for containing a supply of developer and the other a supply of fixer. The developing solution is placed in supply tank I9 while the fixing solution is placed in supply tank 20. Return pipe 2| connects overflow I5 of developing tank 6 with developer supply tank I9 so that the discharge end of pipe 2| enters the upper end' of tank I9. A return pip 22 connects with overflow pipe I5 on fixing tank 8 and returns the overflow from the fixing tank 8 to fixer supply .ible :-.sections :to provide :ior convenient removal ofrtanks firandflsvi-thout disconnecting" them. A :val-ve controlledi outlet 2. 23 on :thebottom of adeveloperssupplyatank lfl. has a supplyzpipe 2-4 ex .supply-tank 2E! :and fixing tank 8v by. supply pip :26 1' havinga -motor .driven i circulating pump .12?! a connected with the supply. pipe .between .supply tank 1220 and fixingtank 8 .to provide a, positive circulationiof fixer from'the supply vtankto "the --fixing..tank with. the overflow. returning through pipe 22. A valve controlled. outlet 28 controls thezentrance 'of fluid to thesupply pipe 26 from Fthe bottomoi supply tankzt. Valves 23 and'ZB are -two-way valves :arranged for operation to ;.open the connectionwiththe bottom of tanks =1 9: andIZO with drainapipesfl 9 and '3fi, respectively connected towaste pipe [3 so that the supply "tanks-for both developer andfixer may be drained and? cleaned inpreparation for filling the supply tanks with:new-supplies of developer and fixer.

'f Each supply-=pipe 2 i and 2 6 has the end at the "respective tanks 6 and 8 connected with nozzles. I ne of= the nozzlesis shown in Fig. B-at Bi Each of the nozzles 3| is mounted in a horizontal-frame supporting bar '4 and is arranged in substantially'vertical depending relation in-the treatment tankterminating near the 'bottom as shown in Fig'S. Thenozzle is at one end of the tank, and has the portion facing inwardly provided with a *plurality of openings 32 through which liquid is Y discharged from the nozzle'at a plurality of points "fromthe botto-mto the top portion or the tank in a lateral direction towardthe opposite-side of the tankin substantially horizontal relation. When the treatmenttanks are filled to the-desired level. --controll'ed =by overflow pipes "15,- the discharg of 'fiuidyunder pressure from supply pipes 24 and. 25 -into the-=respective tanks E and B continuously "supplies" 'iluidiromthe supply tanksto the-treatwment tanks and obtains positive circulation of,

the fluid-"in eachof thetreatment tanks 6 and respectively.- The liquid inthe treatment tanks -8 andt' also circulates through-drain pipe 53 into U-Sl'lFLDGdOVGTfiOW pipes -l5,'the liquid overflow "ing into the-pipes-2l anddZ respectively-tetra turn to supply tanks 19 and 2%], respectively. I Thi constant circulation of the developing and -fixing "fluid to treatment tanks 5 and 8 respectively-maintains a constant mixing of the chemi- "cals in solution to obtain uniform chemical strength' throughout the entire quantity of fluid in the-supply and treatment tanks and alsoob- "tains'ac-tive circulation of the fluid in the treat ment tanks about paper strip material being fed through the tanks for treatment. ;By this circulation of the developer and fixer; the effective chemical-"strength of the fluid can be actively applied to treat' the'surface of the paper being fed through the treatment tanksrapidl and eidectively accordingtothe strength of the chemi- "cals in solution until the strength of the developing chemicals has beenreduced to a point where it'is no longer 'suffici'en tly effectivetoprovide for the desired feed .of ,operationof the machine. .'.At thispoint theichem'icals are drained fromthe reperature: in. developer .supply tank 49.

spective: tanks, :the. tanks rmay :thereupon' be :cleaned and filled with new developing. and :fix- .ing chemicals.

.iIt. :is ndeSirabIe. :to ;maintain the :cleveloping 'chemicalsxrat a=.substantially i-uniform tempera- -:turein ;order:to :secureieflicient operation in the treatmentlsof sensitizedv paper and ..film strips. For this purpose a source of hot and cold water rsi-ipply, iszprovided:as-rindicated at .133 and 34,,re- 's98.ctiviely. Boththezhot and cold waterxsupplies -33 iand td are :,COI1I1'6Ct8d' to an automatic mixing "and temperature control valve-mechanism indicated'at 35v .of any suitable "folm well-known in the :art. JIheoutl-et-forithe mixed water at'the .desiredltemperature is connected to asu-pply pipe (35 fordeliveringthe waterat the controlled temperature through the pipe coil 31in supply tank it containing .the developing solution; ion circulationthrough'this-coil and then through a pipe .38 into pipe coil 39 for circulationthrough the :fixing solution. terwis' then dischargedi-rom pipe coilw'iS-in fixer supplytanl; 2d through pipe to conneoted'with -dischargenozzles in wash tanks i and 9 respec "tively, 10f duplicate aconstruction with nozzles d l. All of the discharge nozzles in the. several treat- -ment tanks "are therefore numbered ,3 I The ciroulation of the temperaturecontrolled water in Ehe temperature controlled wa-- the I washing. tan-ks l and t! through the discharge .of fluid from discharge nozzles 1-3! maintains an ttion the water in the :washingtankssulo- 'stantially imilantothat.obtained in the developing andifixingtankst andt. Y Thisefieotively'and uniformly washes the chemically. treated coating on theqsensitized strip material being fed through treatment tanks. The temperature controlled wa'teroverflows from washing tanks .1 and i through overflowpipes It .for .discharge into trough I l and wastepipe iit- Aucontinuous fresh supply of .temperate water 1 formaintaining a substantially.constant temperature in all or" the treatment baths in tanks E to il'inolusive is ob tained-b-y this mechanism through the'control-of the automatic mixing and temperature "control mechanism :315.

Aasuitable temperature indicating device is shown ail-A5 in Fig. 1 ,forregistering the tem- Similar temperature indicators canbeused in. the other flanks if. desired butit is found that for most developing work the. single temperature indicator .in the developer is sufiicient vforthe operator of .the machine to control the temperature through out thesystemsothatit.is maintained at a sub- ..stantially .uniform temperature of the character required to obtain efficient processing of photosensitized strip material.

. .Afeed-casing-Afi is, mounted at the front end of the supporting, frame. Feed casing 46-has side walls. 41, Figs; '5 and 6, top wall .48,-;loottom wall 49 andiront wall 50 formed with an opening closed by door .51. hinged in a. suitable -manner to .the front wall, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, to provide a light-tight closure. cured .to horizontal supporting bars t-withthe major portion offeed casing 45 arranged above the top flanges of bars 4 so that thebottom wall Allis spacedslightly below lower flanges of bars-.4,.as-clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. i This .providesan .openpassage from .the interior of feed casing .46 at the., low.er .portion below cross Side Walls 4'! are sebar. .5 extending .rearwardly into the space be- .tween Supportingbars 4 .iorthe passage-of sheet material ,into .developingtank 6. Casing-At is mounted in lightrtight :relation on. the front end of the frame and developing tank 6 has the forward edge seated in light-tight relation against the rear edge of bottom wall 49 as shown in Fig. 6. Feed casing 46 provides a compartment for receiving spools of sensitized strip material to be developed so that the material can be fed from the spools through the several treatment tanks.

A spool cradle is therefore provided in feed casing 46 as shown in Figs. and 6. This spool cradle has a pair of spaced parallel shaft members 52 extending transversely between side Walls 41 and journalled at opposite ends in bearings 53 carried by side Walls 41. Spools 55 are adapted to be mounted with the peripheries of the spool end flanges seated on shafts 52, in the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

A tubular shaft 54 is rigidly mounted at opposite ends in sockets 56 carried by side walls 4'! and intermediate the ends, shaft 54 adjustably mounts a plurality of spool positioning members 57 thereon. Spool positioning members 51 have spool guide and spacing fingers 58 extending radially therefrom and arranged to engage the ends of spools 55 mounted in the cradle for holding them against endwise movement in the cradle. Fingers 58 carry rollers 59 adapted to be resiliently engaged with the peripheries of spool ends 55 in one position of positioning members 5! for retaining spools 55 rotatably engaged in the cradle during the feeding of strip material from the spools. More than one spool can be mounted in end-to-end relation in feed casing 46, as shown in Fig. 5. A spring pressed manually operable retaining pin 60 is mounted in each spool positioning member 57 and is adapted to engage in a socket in shaft 54 for retaining each positioning member 51 in either of two radial positions on shaft 54 forming operative and inoperative positions. By the operation of spool positioning members 51 spools may be inserted into and removed from the cradle in feed casing 46 through the opening controlled by door 5|.

The rear portion of feed casing 46 is formed to provide an entrance for an endless conveyor through a light-trap, as shown in Fig. 6. This entrance and light-trap comprises a plurality of spaced parallel rear Wall sections 6|, the central section extending downwardly from top wall 48 between two outer rear wall sections extend-- ing upwardly from the bottom. The upper ends of the outer spaced wall sections terminate in spaced relation to top wall 48 and the central wall section terminates in spaced relation above the bottom rear portion of the casing and the upper edges of supporting bars 4 so that a circuitous passage is provided through the rear of the casing to the interior thereof.

A plurality of sprocket shafts 62 extend transversely of feed casing 46 and are rotatably mounted in bearings secured to side walls 41. A pair of chain sprockets 63 are mounted on each shaft 62 in uniform spaced relation adjacent side walls 41. One of the shafts 62 is mounted above the upper edge of outer rear wall section 6| as shown in Fig. 6 in the entrance to the light-trap. Another shaft 62 is mounted below the lower edge of central rear wall section 6|. A third shaft 62 is mounted at the upper inner portion of the entrance passage above the upper edge of the inner rear wall section 6| where the light-trap and entrance communicates with the interior of the feed casing. Two shafts 62 are mounted in transversely extending relation across the upper and lower front inner portions of the feed casing. as shown in Fig. 6. These shafts and their sprockets provide for supporting and guiding a pair of endless chain members 65 through the light-trap from the outside to the interior of feed casing 46, to the forward side portions of the casing and then downwardly in front of the spool cradle to the lower front portion of the casing. From the lower front portion of the casing the endless members 65 extend upwardly and rearwardly between supporting bars 4.

A plurality of power driven shafts l0 are rotatably mounted in bearings ll secured to the outside upright central portions of the channel bars forming supporting members 4. Shafts 15 extend in transverse relation between bars 4. Shafts In have the free ends at one side of the frame extending beyond bearings ll and each rigidly mounting a worm gear '12 in mesh with a worm gear 13 mounted on longitudinally extending rotatable drive shaft l4. Bearings '55 rotatably mount drive shaft 14 on one of the horizontal supporting bars 4. One end main drive shaft '54 extends to the rear of the frame, as

-iown in Figs. 2 and 4, where it carries a pulley 716. A belt drive, shown in Fig. 4 and indicated as Ta, is provided to transmit power from electric motor "53 for driving main drive shaft "M and rotating driven shaft 16 for driving endless chain members 65 to produce lineal movement thereof in the operation of the machine. Each of the driven shafts 15} carries a pair of uniformly spaced sprockets 19 over which endless members 65 are engaged.

Driven shafts 10 are arranged throughout the length of supporting bars 4 to provide a downwardly extending loop in endless members 65 extending into the several treatment tanks 6 to 6 inclusive, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. These loops are arranged between adjacent shafts l0. At adjacent ends of the treatment tanks members 65 extend directly between the sprockets on adjacent shafts 10.

Guide units are provided for guiding the loops of endless members 65 and sheet material to be treated in the tanks. These guide units are illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. Each unit has a pair of transversely spaced parallel carrying bars extending between horizontal supporting bars 4 with opposite ends detachably supported by bars 4. The left-hand end of each of the carrying bars 80, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, is slidably engaged in an aperture in holding bar 8| rigidly secured to the inner face of the left-hand channel-shaped supporting bar 4 with spacer strip 82. The opposite ends of carrying bars 86 extend through apertures in the vertical Web portion of channel bars 4 as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 8. These carrying bars 66 are retained in engaged position in transversely extending relation between bars l by means of cotter pins 83 extending transversely through the right-hand ends of carrying bars 80 as they are shown in Fig. 8.

A pair of end members 85 and 86 respectively, are suspended in spaced parallel relation from each pair of carrying bars 80 in the manner shown in Figs. 8 and 9 between supporting bars 4 in downwardly extending relation to the bot tom portion of the treatment tanks, one pair of end members being suspended from each pair of carrying bars 80. Cotter pins 87 are used to re tain the end members against longitudinal sliding movement on carrying bars 80. End member 85 is provided with a plurality of sockets for receiving glass spacer and guide rods 88. These su-id e' rods -88 extenddn-spaced.parallel"i'el i of wash tahkQdsshown in Fig.-1'7,"so-that it exin th'ecenter-andat the'side-portions-in=vertically tends from the upper edges of 'supportingbars aligned relation between end members 85- and 4 iht the 'upperportion of the "first compartment 86. The right-hand ends--of-'rods88 asshownin in washtank '9 in aligned-relation-with the-first Fig. 8, engage in-the'" sockets inendmember 85 5 row of. spacer rods BB in-the guide-unit in the andthe left-hand endsinapertures inend memfirst compartmentbf tank 91 Hallie-plate lfinis ber -86.=-- A retainer" .plate 89 is secured to the slotted to-receive end plates-B5 and' 'aii in the outer face of-end-member 86-for closingthe outer first" compartment -of tank 9i and the'side edges endsotthe apertures thereinandretainingrodsare detachably heldbetween-the inner faces of- BB-in interengagedpositions withthe opposite 10 bars 4 in light-tight relation. A cover plate ends. seated in. end members siand 35w A.plu Hil has a for-ward end'hs shown in 'Fig'; 6 slid-- rality ofuretainer rods 9B Xtend-in transverse ably:engaged uhder the lower'edges-ofrear wallparallel relation to glassspacerrods BB- and haVe section at of tfeed casing lfi and the side edges opposite ends. extending through apertures'in-enm seated on th'e upper f'aces of theupper flanges members 85and 86:andretainerplatellil; Spacer v of channel supporting-bars 4* with depending sleeves 9i areengaged. over each-rod 90l1and seat flanges on the free. sidezedges ext'ending downin sockets in.endmemberilE.v andapertures .in: wardlyi'beyond the out'eredges of bars d, as indiend memberfifieinthe same manner. as glass rods cated in dotted =lines zinmFigsz-2 and'7. The'rear 88.- Nuts 92.are screw threaded.onopposite-ends. edge o? cover 101 ha'sa depending flange enof. rods 90. at the outerasidesiof .end member 85. gagingwith the upperzforward edge'of baffle. plate and retainer plate .iiaifonflrmly-securing the end: Within. the mannera'shown'inul ig. 8. Cover HM members. andretainer plate. together inc-spaced. and: baffle plat nlflilr cooperate. to exclude" 1ight parallelassembledrelationv to form the. guide. from the developing .:and fixing tanks and also' unit provide alight trapia'nd exit passage 'at'itherean Shafts 95 are mounted. inthelower end of end end of cover lfi'l aboutbaffle-plate?v ltiifor' unimembers 85- and 86;ln.rigid relation for:rotatably. obstructed movement :ofendless members {ili'with' mounting endless member guide sprockets 96 at sheet material-fed with .the movement of these:

opposite ends thereofand a loop. retaining. tubu-. endless members through-th treatment b'ath'si lar, guide roller. st therebetween. Endless mem- Endless chains are-illustrated 'asforrningthe bers65 are engaged about guide sprockets 96 so endless. membersffii'm They: are engaged over.

that the lower ends of the loops extending into. the severat sprockets for: feeding and guiding the treatment tanks are: engaged and guided by sheet materialinflineal movement-ifromthe feedsprockets 96' so that theendless members are casing.to the-bottom portion ofthe feed casing held in position andrguided in their lineal moveas shown in Fig." 6-,'t0' the sprockets and guide mentthrough the treatment tanks. Guide rollroller on the" first-ofthe series ofshafts it from' ers 91 engage the .lowerends of the loops formed. which the chain then: extends through the sev in sheet material .beingtreated in the. tanks-for: eral treatment 'ba'thsinth-e: loops-formation above holding and guiding theseloops in. the movedescribed. .Ea'choft-the. endless chains iis of'conment ofthesheet material, stripsand the-like ventional construction and has a pluralit of through the tanks for treatment. Guide rollers 40 selected links in each chain arrangedin opposite SLhave a larger interiordiameterv than the ex.- corresponding" relation formed to provide-angle te'rior diameter ofshafts. 95. inorder that the mem g inw r y: extending r-'- rollers are freelyrotatable and movable into ec-' tiOnS S ppo t n t chment pins I03With which centric relationto shafts 95-.in-orden to take up. Strip? feed bar JM isrdetachabIy'enga a e.

slack in the loops ofsheet material being-treated ach of thestripvfeed bars; Shown detail and compensate for expansion and contraction ln Fi se 10 and ll is'formed ofa channel memof the sheet materialin theloops, ber IEE'haViHga terminal member itty-rigi Each of the guideunits .is constructed to supsecured one. at. each-end-ofbar I115 in thechanport the several. guide rods andshafts forall of 1181 po o e0f.- The inner endof each ter the loops within a tank,'one unit being provided mina1member I06 has an inwardly eXtending for: each tank or each compartment in a tank. flange Ill-l e formed with a' bifurcated outward-ly For example, as shown in Fig.v 2,. developingtank extending projection I080 Thisbifurcated pro-.

6 is constructed to have three. loopsextendintoj n is formed-s0 that-theslotin-theend-is the bottom of the tank so that the sheet material slig y maller than-the-diameterof attachment being treated is looped threatimesor passes 1 pins- Withv enlarged p g spaced inthrough three downwardly andupwardly extendwardly fromthee d of the projection in -com-' ingpaths through the developin tank. Th n munication with the-slottoenablexthe projection the material is passed upwardlyand downwardly. b sna p on toeneiof'theattachment p through two looped paths in wash tank] andsix. H93 in a. convenient= manner. This provides-"a loops in flxingtank 8. In wash tank 9, as clearly 603 feed bar construction that may. be detachably= shown in Fig. '7, a separate guide unit is provided securecl to attachment pins Hi3 in transversely in each compartment.constructed for receiving. extending, relation-between endless'chain memtwo-loops, so'that" five guide units are used in bers l Aretainer. strip I09 of flexible spring Wash tank 9, one in each compartment. Each steel orthelike-havinga length greater than the of the end members 85. is formed with a pludistanceibetween.-.the inner ends of flanges ill! rality of apertures 98 arranged in'aligned rela-= butsubstantiallyless than-thedistance between tion with apertures 32 in nozzles-3i .in order. that theends of terminal imembersi lflli as'shown in the liquid discharged. under pressure fromthe Fig; lllis ptedto have one end inserted under apertures in thenozzles vcan.be projected-through O e flange t O e d of cha el ember 9 apertures ssforobtaining.thecirculation of the 7o1 a'pos o so-that?the oppositei-end will clear liquid in the treatment tanks. the inner en'dwofvther opposite flange Hil -I: By

In order. toexcludezlight from developingtank slidable. movementraendwiswthd:end -of' retainer 6, .wash. tank 1 and vfixing tank 8,:a balfie plater strip'lDB- canibe:engagedunderthe other flange W8 is mounted; in transversely extending-rem.- tionvbetween':supportingibars 4-.at th'e front end' tiO 'ShOw g- 11 and resilientlyandfrictiom I011 so that thestrip'canbe moved'into the 'posi ll ally retained in position in attached relation in channel member I05 of feed bar I04.

Retainer strip I is used to retain the end of sensitized strip material in firmly engaged rela-- tion in channel member I so that strip feed bar I04 when attached to endless members 65 at opposite ends will serve to move with the endless members for feeding a sensitized strip through the treatment baths from the feed casing and through the drier and subsequent winding on the receiving drum in an efficient manner. These feed bars are detachably mounted between endless members 65 so that the retainer strip I09 may be removed from channel member I05. When strip I09 is removed from channel mem--- ber I05 the end of a strip wound upon a spool 55 mounted in the cradle in feed housing 46 can be engaged about channel bar I05 and retainer strip I00 then engaged in position to clamp the end of the strip in the feed bar. The bar may then be attached to the nearest pair of attachment pins Hi3 on endless members 55 in the front of feed casing 45 as indicated in Fig. 6 so that in the subsequent movement of members 65 through the machine the strip within feed casing 46 will be unwound from spool 55 and fed through the machine for treatment. The strip will be fed over guide rollers IIO mounted on the lower shaft 62 in feed casing 45 as shown in Fig. 6 and then over rollers II 0 on each of the shafts 10, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7. Guide rollers I I 0 extend between the sprockets on each end portion of each of the shafts. They are rigidly mounted on each of the shafts for positive rotation in the operation of the machine by the driving motion imparted to shafts 10.

The sensitized strip material placed in the feed casing may be a photo-sensitized strip on which photographic images have been produced in a suitable camera and which it is desired to develop to obtain prints. This machine provides for fully developing and drying of sensitized strip material. Feed bars I04 are so constructed that they freely pass over guide rollers H0 and throughout the several tanks in movement with the endless members 65. They lead the end of a sensitized strip downwardly from the roller IIO shown on shaft at the front end of the machine in Fig. 6 into the first loop in the developing tank 6 to the bottom portion of the tank where the strip is then looped under and above tubular guide roller 91, in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and '7, and then upwardly to the guide roller III! on the next adjacent shaft 10. The strip is then led through the remaining loop portions in up and down relation in the developing tank from which it is led to wash tank I and through the two loop portions provided in the path formed therein. From wash tank I the strip is then led through the six downwardly extending loop portions provided in fixing tank 8 and finally through the several loop portions provided in the several sections of wash tank 9 for completely developing, fixing and washing the sensitized coating on the strip. The guide units in the several tanks with spacer rods 88 efliciently guide the sheet material in the loop paths of travel through the several tanks with members 65.

The strip is then led from the rear end of wash tank 9 outwardly and upwardly at the rear end of the frame to the drier. As endless members 65 and the strip fed thereby leave the rear end of wash tank 9 the strip is engaged with a squeegee device indicated at H4 in Fig. 7. This squeegee device includes a pair of flexible rubber squeegee strips mounted in transversely extending holder bars H6. A connecting bar H8 secures the free ends of arms ll! together in rigid relation while the opposite ends of arms i I'? are pivotally mounted on a supporting rod H9 extending transversely and secured at opposite ends in horizontal supporting bars 4. Connecting bar H8 carries one of the holder bars I I6 while the other one is mounted on a transversely extending rod I22 mounted at opposite ends on frame bars 4. Arms IIl have extensions I20 formed adjacent the free ends thereof to which one end of a tension spring I2I is secured while the opposite end is anchored to a pin carried by supporting bars 4. Tension springs l2I' normally rotate arms ill in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. '7, about supporting rod H9 to move the squeegee carried thereby into engagement with the strip being treated and led from wash tank 9 and for engaging the strip with the squeegee on rod :22. Idler sprockets for chains 65 are mounted on bar H8 at opposite ends of the squeegee thereon for guiding the chains as well as the strip. Arms I I? provide for movement of the squeegee strips apart so that a feed bar I04 may pass between them in leading a strip toward the drier. The squeegee strips scrape the excess water from opposite surfaces of the strip for eliminating as much water as possible from the strip as it enters the drier.

The drier disclosed herein includes a plurality of driven and idler drying drum units I25 and I26, respectively. Each of the driven and idler drying drum units has a pair of mounting brackets i2? mounted in alternate upwardly and downwardly extending relation on upper side bars 2 of the frame for supporting transversely extending tubular shafts I 28. As illustrated in Fig. 2, four of the drying drums are mounted on shafts positioned above top side bars 2 and four drying drums are positioned below top side bars 2 in staggered relation to those on the top of the side bars so that the strip to be dried may be alternately passed over a top drying drum and then a lower drying drum.

Suitable electric cable connections may be extended through tubular shaft I28 for connection with heating units in each drying drum unit for connecting the heating element in circuit with a suitable source of electric supply which may be controlled in any suitable manner for securing the desired degree of heat for each drying drum unit.

Two driven drying drum units I25 are provided in the series of drying drum units, one at the rear end of the machine for receiving the strip after it leaves wash tank 9 and the other at the opposite end of the series of drying drum units in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

Each driven drying drum unit has a sprocket disc I 34 rotatably mounted on shaft I28 at opposite ends of each drum. Endless members 65 are engaged over sprockets I34 and are adapted to drive drying drum units I25 to feed the strip through the drier.

Sprocket wheels I34 are also mounted at opposite ends of the idler drying drums on shafts I28 for supporting endless member 65 in their travel to convey the strip over the several drums in the desired manner for drying.

The strip after leaving the squeegee passes upwardly at the rear end of the frame to the rearmost driven drying drum unit I25, as shown in Fig. 2, and then passes over the series of idler sigma-p58:

drying drum units in alternate relationbelow and:

above top side bars 2 and finally to the last driven drying drum unit I25 at the forward end of the series of drying drums, asshown in Fig. 2.- Endless chain members 65 are engaged over the sprocket discs or wheels of the several drying drum units for feeding the strip over these units asindicated in Fig. 2.

Endless members 55, upon leaving the last driven drying drum unit I25, are extended to and engaged over sprockets on shaft I55 rotatably mounted in bearings at opposite ends carried by top side frame members 2. Endless members 65' then extend to sprocket 63 at the upper rear portion of feed casing 46 and at the entrance to the feed casing through the light-trap. The endless members then extend through the light-trap into the casing over the several pairs of sprockets 53 in the manner shown in Fig. 6 and in subsequent lineal movement continue the endless pathof travel through the feed casing, the treatment bath, the drier and back to the feed casing as described.

The sheet material being treated is extended from the last driven drying drum unit I25 of the series to a receiving drum II mounted on a shaftv I52, see Fig. 1, rotatably mounted at the front portion of the frame on top side bars 2.

A drive spindlel 55 carries one end of shaft I52 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 rotatably mounted-ina suitable bearing in the supporting frame and has a reduced outer end I59. The reduced outer end i55rotatably mounts a drive sprocket I55, Fig. 1, having a friction drive connection therewith resiliently maintained through the medium of spring ISI and collar I62 adjustably mounted on reduced extension I59. Endless drive chain IE3 is engaged over a sprocket mounted on the outer end of shaft I55 and sprocket I60 so that driving power from endless member 65 is transmitted through shaft I50 to rotate receiving drum I5I'- and wind the completely treated sheetmaterial thereon.

As the lead end of 2. treated strip of sheet material reaches the last driven drying drum unit I25, the feed bar I04 feeding the strip through the machine engages under a roller I55 carried by pivoted arms I66 mounted on rotatable rod I51 extending between and rotatably mounted in top side bars 2 Fig. 2. Feed bar H14 in passing under roller I65 moves the roller outwardly from the surface of drum I3I and rotates shaft R5! in pivotal movement of arms I56. This pivotal movement rotates the pivoted signal operating arm I68, the movement of which is'used to close an electric contact or operate mechanical means of a character well known in the art for operating an audible signal so that the operator will know when the lead end of the strip leaves the last drying drum of the drying unit. Audible signal I59 may be of any conventional form known in the art that is adapted to be set in motion or operated by the movement of a pivoted arm, such as arm I58. The operator then removes the feed bar from endless member 65 and when the end of the strip is long enough to engage it over receiving drum I'5I the free end is engaged in a transverse slot in drum I5I for winding upon the drum.

When strip material is completely wound on drum I5i, it may be removed from the frame by disengaging shaft I52 from its mounting in the frame and drive spindle I55. The drum may then be moved to another machine for unwinding the strip therefrom.

The I operator removes feed bar- 104 from the end of thestrip prior to engaging the endof the strip in receiving -drum -'I5I for-windingthereon. Shouldthe operator fail toremove'feed bar I04 from the strip atthe proper time; the strip will becarried-with the feed'bar' back into" f eed casing 45 and through the -machine-again for complete" reprocessing without damage" to the strip. Feed bar- IM canbe allowed to remain engaged with endless'members 65' if desired after. If it is the removal of the endof the-strip; allowedto remain engaged with endless members55feed' bar I54 will pass into the entrance at the rearof feed casing 46* through "the" light trap and continue with the endless members to move through the'machine' in the'usual manner.

A modified form of feed bar isillustrated" in Figs. 12 and 13. It includesa feedbar I'Iil provided with a longitudinal slot'in the central portion indicatedat I'II in Fig; 12; Terminal members' I12 are rigidly mountedon opposite ends of bar I10 and provided with bifurcated projections on the outer end similar to projections I08 for detachable engagement with attachment pins I03 on endless members 65' in the same manner that the feed'bar 'showninFigsI'IO and'll is engaged with pins I03 on endlessmembers 65. The end of a pieceof strip material to'betrea'ted is-threaded through slot Ill and. about bar am in a convenient" manner to interlock the end of providing sufficiently large supply tanks for the.

developing and fixing solutions and-by the-continuouscirculation of these solutionsin the respectivetreatment1tanks, one batch of fluid. can be mixed to'operate the machine efliciently'for a full working day. Thisovercomes the disadvantage of previous apparatus which'requires frequent changes of developing chemicals; In addition,.the positive circulation of thedeveloping chemicals also insures more efiicient use-of the chemical strength ofthe solutionsindeveloping operations effecting substantial saving in .the cost of chemicals and with the elimination of frequent changes of chemical solutions effects considerable saving in'the cost of produ'cingp-hotographic prints in the present apparatus over previous devices heretofore used.

The invention claimed is:

1. Photographic developing apparatus, comprising a supporting frame, a pair of. spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars mounted in said frame in. spaced relation above the bottom thereof, a treatment tank positioned below saidsupporting bars in aligned relationwithand opening upwardly between said bars, means detachably' suspending said tank from said bars, a plurality of independent conveyor units removably engaged between said bars in transversely extending adjacent relation each having a depending portion extendingbelow said bars into said tank, means extendingbetween said bars through the upper. ends'of said unitsin'dependently and detachably mounting said..conveyor units. between said bars for. removal from between said bars upwardly" for complete de tachment from said frame and tank without disturbing the mounting for said tank, and said tank and conveyor units being formed for cooperation to provide for the lowering of said tank to the bottom of said frame for removal from said frame without removing said guide units.

2. Photographic developing apparatus, comprising a supporting frame, a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars mounted in said frame in spaced relation above the bottom thereof, a plurality of treatment tanks positioned below said supporting bars in aligned relation with and opening upwardly between said bars, means independently and detachably mounting all of said tanks in suspended relation on said bars, a plurality of independent conveyor units each removably engaged between said bars and having depending portions extending below said bars into one of said tanks, a pair of bars for each unit detachably engaged with a unit and detachably engaging said supporting bars for suspending said units from said supporting bars, said pair of bars mounting said units for detachment and removal upwardly from between said bars and said tanks, and a conveyor movably mounted on said conveyor units for feeding sheets through said tanks for successive treatment, said tanks, frame and conveyor units being cooperatively formed to provide for the lowering of one of said tanks in said frame for removal therefrom below the depending portions of said conveyor units while said units remain in mounted position in said frame.

3. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars and opening upwardly therebetween, a drain pipe coupling formed on the bottom portion of said tank, a drain pipe connected to said coupling and extending outwardly at one side of said tank, an inverted U-shaped overflow pipe having one end connected to said drain pipe and extending upwardly beside said tank with the curved portion joining the legs of said overflow pipe positioned at a predetermined level near the top portion of said tank for determining the liquid level in said tank and providing an overflow for the discharge of liquid introduced into said tank for maintaining said level, said pipes being removable with said tank from said frame.

4. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars opening upwardly therebetween, an inverted U-shaped overflow conduit having the lower end of one leg thereof connected for communication with the interior of said tank and the portion connecting the legs of said U-shaped overflow positioned at the top portion of said tank for determining the liquid level in said tank and providing for the overflow of excess liquid to maintain said level, said conduit being removable with said tank from said frame 5. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars opening upwardly therebetween, an inverted U-shaped overflow conduit having a pair of spaced parallel legs, the lower end of one leg connected for communication with the interior of said tank at the bottom, said conduit extending upwardly beside said tank with the section joining the upper ends of the legs located near the top of said tank to determine the liquid level therein and provide an overflow for excess liquid through said inverted U-shaped conduit, and means forming part of the connection at the bottom of said tank operable to open said overflow conduit at the bottom of said tank for draining the liquid from the tank, said overflow conduit and means being removable with said tank from said frame.

6. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars opening upwardly therebetween, means mounted on said bars for conveying a sheet in transversely extending relation downwardly and upwardly in said tank through a substantially U-shaped path, said means having end supporting plates depending in said tank with at least one end plate formed with a series of apertures in the central portion, and means for circulating the treating fluid in said tank having a nozzle extending in upright relation in one side of said tank adjacent said apertured end plate and formed with a plurality of discharge openings on the inner side in registry with the apertures in said end plate for circulating fluid in transverse horizontal relation through the apertur in said end plate between the upwardly and downwardly extending portions of said path for sheet material.

7. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars, and means for conveying sheet material through said tank for treatment therein having a conveyor unit formed with a pair of spaced end members, one end member having a plurality of sockets on the inner face thereof, the other end member having a plate section formed with apertures in corresponding positions to said sockets, a retainer plate section mounted in superimposed relation on the outer face of said firstmentioned plate section, a plurality of spacer and guide rods having opposite ends engaged in aligned sockets and apertures in said end members, means detachably securing said end members together in spaced parallel relation to form a rigid conveyor unit, roller guide means mounted between the lower ends of said end members, said end members having the distance therebetween less than the distance between said supporting bars, and means detachably mounting said unit on said bars in suspended relation in said tank for removal of said unit upwardly between said bars.

8. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a supporting frame having a pair of horizontal supporting bars spaced above the bottom of said frame, a treatment tank suspended from said bars, and means for conveying sheet material through said tank for treatment therein having a conveyor unit formed with a pair of spaced end members, said end members being formed with aligned sockets in adjacent faces, a plurality of spacing and guide rods extending perpendicularly between said end members, means securing said end members together in assembled relation for retaining said rods in said sockets, said unit being engaged in suspended relation in said tank by movement downwardly between said horizontal bars, and a pair of supporting rods extending horizontally in spaced relation through the upper ends of said end members and having the ends detachably engaged in said supporting bars for detachably suspending said unit therefrom in said tank.

9. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a frame, a pair of spaced parallel supporting bars mounted in the central portion of said frame in horizontal relation, a plurality of treating tanks extending between and suspended from the lower edges of said bars in light-tight cooperation, a feed casing mounted on the front upper edges of and extending above said bars in lighttight cooperation with said bars, frame and tanks at the front of said frame, said casing having side Walls extending upwardly in spaced parallel relation along said bars, a plurality of rear wall sections connecting the rear portions of said side walls in spaced parallel staggered relation to form openings alternately at the top and bottom forming a light trap and a circuitous passage into said casing, spool supporting means mounted in said feed casing to provide access for inserting and removing spools from said spool supporting means, a cover plate engaged on top of said sup porting bars and extending between said bars casing above said supporting bars, a door in said rearwardly from said feed casing in light-tight relation therewith, a light trap formed at the rear end of said cover plate in cooperation with an adjacent treatment tank to form a circuitous passage, conveyor supporting means mounted on said supporting bars having portions extending into said tanks for guiding a print conveyor into and out of each of said tanks, means mounted on upper portions of said frame above said cover plate for guiding said conveyor means, means mounted in said feed casing for guiding said con veyor means therein past said spool supporting means and door, means mounted in said light traps for guiding said conveyor through said light traps, endless conveyor members arranged in spaced parallel relation on said conveyor supporting means, said conveyor members extending through said feed easing into said treating tanks, outwardly through the light trap at the rear end of said cover plate to the upper portions of said frame above said cover plate and through the circuitous passage between said rear wall sections into said feed casing, and means for detachably connecting the end of a strip of material to said endless conveyor member in said feed casing for feeding through said tanks in the light-tight portion of said apparatus and then outwardly to the upper portion of said frame above said bars and cover plate.

10. Photographic developing apparatus comprising a pair of spaced parallel supporting bars, a plurality of treatment tanks suspended from the under side of said bars in light-tight cooperation, a feed casing mounted on the upper edges of said bars at one end in upwardly extending light-tight relation, a cover plate extending rearwardly from said feed casing in light-tight relation on the upper edges of said bars, a light trap at the rear end of said cover plate forming a circuitous passage in cooperation with said bars and tanks, a light trap forming a rear Wall and cir cuitous passage in said feed casing above said cover plate, spool supporting means in said feed casing, a door in said feed casing providing access to said spool supporting means and conveyor means, and endless conveyor means, means to guide said conveyor means through said feed casing above said bars into and through said tanks and between said bars below said cover plate, outwardly through the light trap at the rear end of said cover plate, above said cover plate and back into said feed casing through the light trap in the rear wall of said feed casing and between the door and spool supporting means, and means for attaching the end of a strip to said endless conveyor means for movement thereby from said feed casing through said treatment tanks in the light-tight portion of said apparatus, outwardly through the light trap at the rear of said cover plate and then upwardly above said cover plate and supporting bars at the outside of the light-tight portions of said apparatus.

AMBROSIUS BRIECHLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,463,489 Shannon July 31, 1923 1,479,661 Gates Jan. 1, 924 1,760,048 Dufay May 27, 1930 1,772,834 Hopkins Aug. 12, 1930 1,822,345 Greene Sept. 8, 1931 1,865,682 Dye July 5, 1932 1,894,092 Greene et a1 Jan. 10, 1933 1,900,825 Liberman Mar. 7, 1933 1,902,281 Helms 1- Mar. 21, 1933 1,919,926 Bodan July 25, 1933 1,940,202 Bodan et a1. Dec. 19, 1933 1,958,791 Kalbfleisch May 15, 1934 1,965,504 Macon July 3, 1934 1,967,889 Kitroser July 24, 1934 2,060,286 Doetzel, Jr. Nov. 10, 1936 2,102,843 Gwynne Dec. 21, 1937 2,105,165 Schnelz July 11, 1938 2,169,758 Capstaif Aug. 15, 1939 2,179,026 Sullivan Nov. 7, 1939 2,236,712 Landrock et al Apr. 1, 1941 2,244,170 Miketta et al June 8, 194 2,263,380 Coleman Nov. 18, 1941 2,265,975 Lloyd Dec. 9, 1941 2,325,255 Lenz July 27, 1943 2,332,296 Brunk Oct. 19, 1943 2,344,941 Dutch Mar. 28, 1944 2,355,109 Riddick Aug. 8, 1.944 2,385,681 Brick Sept. 25, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 357,597 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1931 834,867 France Sept. 5, 1938 

